Walter Deane (1848-1930) Papers; Journal Jan-Dec 1901. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

149

Bronx Park, N.Y. Nov. 10-17 Nov. 15 (8)

way she quietly finished the dish, scraping the spoon around the edges when she was through, so as to get the last bit. Then the dish & spoon were removed and a plate filled with sliced banana was put before "Sally" and a fork was placed near by. "Sally" took up the fork in her right hand and the{n} proceeded to eat the banana, taking up piece by piece by pressing the tines of the fork into each piece and putting each slice deliberately into her mouth. She held the handle of the fork at its end, as she had held the spoon. After this course was over, a large cup filled with some drink was put before her and she took it up the with both hands put it to her mouth and drank the contents. After that she was carried round and we shook hands with her and patted her on the back. It was a most interesting performance. "Sally" was next wrapped up in a blanket and taken back to her house.

At 4.15 we bade our host good bye and walked back to the cars and returned to the city. It was as interesting a day as I ever spent.

In the evening we called upon Mrs. Nellie Mansfield on W. 36th St., and had a very pleasant time. The house is well filled with beautiful things.

150

New York, N.Y. Nov. 10-17 Nov. 16

Saturday was clear with light clouds, cool.

After breakfast Ruthven, M. & I took the elevated to the Battery and visited the Aquarium which is in the old Castle Garden. The Guide Books will tell the interesting history of the building which was a fort, Castle Clinton, in the war of 1812, Lafayette, Kossuth, Prince of Wales, Jenny Lind, several Presidents have all figured in this building. The display of fish is very fine and much amusement is is constantly afforded by a seal from the Gulf of Mexico, that occupied a large tank. People gathered along the sides of the tank which were breast high and whenever he approached the edge he would squirt a large mouthful of water over the edge at some unwary person. Peals of laughter were constantly heard.

From here we walked up Broadway, entered Trinity Church. It is a rich and beautiful interior. We then walked over Brooklyn Bridge returning in the cars. It is a stupendous structure, the span from tower to tower being 1595 feet 6 inches, the longest span in existence. As you stand in the middle of the bridge you are 135 feet above the water. The span is between 1/4 and 1/3 of a mile long. Everything is on an enormous scale here.

151

New York, N.Y. 1901 Nov. 10-17 Nov. 16 (2)

The high buildings "sky scrapers" dwarf the church spires.

Originals of Birds of Amer{ica} by J. J. Audubon After dinner I went down town alone and called at the New York Historical Socity ot see the original water color paintings of Audubon's elephant folio. Birds of America — The building is so over crowded and has so outgrown its capacity that all the paintings are not on exhibition as will be the case when the Society moves into its new quarters next the Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. Still there is a fine exhibit. In one large room, twenty night of the pictures are framed and hanging on the walls and here I spent an hour by myself. I felt as if I were on hallowed ground in the presence of these wonderful works of art. The full beauty and the wonderful execution and bold conception are seen in their full perfection in these orginals and I was loath to leave the room. The sun reflected from the red bricks building across the street shed a subdued light through the long windows and cast a soft glow now on one picture and again on another. At last I tore myself away and took the cars back to the hotel to dinner, going through Madison Sq. and walking up 5th Avenue.

152

New York, N.Y. Nov. 10-17 Nov. 16 (3)

The following is a list of the original water color paintings of John James Audubon that belong to the elephant folio of Birds of American that are framed and hanging in the New York Historical Society room: —

153

New York, N.Y. Nov. 10-17 Nov. 16 (4)

After dinner we called on the Dwights and found them at home. After a pleasant call, Dr. Dwight walked with us over to the Waldorf-Astoria called the largest and most luxurious hotel in the world. We wandered over the ground floor and saw the maginificence of the place. It is 15 stories in height and contains more than 1300 guest rooms and is practically filled all the time, accommodations being provided for 1400 to 1500 people — $75-$100 a day for rooms without meals is not uncommon. Over 6000 meals a day are served on an average and often a man with four or five guests pays $75 for a dinner. One man who engaged his rooms by the year pays about $150 a day. One drawing room has marble pillars throughout and is entirely furnished in solid mahogany. This gives an idea of the scale. We sat here till eleven o'clock watching the finely dressed people as they came in from the theatres to promenade, eat & drink till the early hours of the morning. This is our last day in New York and tomorrow we return home again. We have seen and enjoyed much.